POM-V Prescription Required

CepraShort 300 mg Intramammary Suspension for Dairy Cows at Drying-Off

Active ingredient: Cefapirin

Form

Intramammary

Species

Cattle

Manufacturer

Intervet International B.V.

VMD MA No.

06376/5028

What it's used for

Treatment of clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows caused by Staphylococcus aureus, dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli sensitive t...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Cefapirin

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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Prescription required

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Clinical information

CepraShort 300 mg Intramammary Suspension for Dairy Cows at Drying-Off — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Treatment of clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows caused by Staphylococcus
aureus,
dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli sensitive to cefapirin.

For single use only.
The contents of one syringe should be infused into the teat canal of each quarter
immediately after the last milking of the lactation. Before infusion, the teat should be
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with the cleaning towel provided.
Remove the cap fully by holding the barrel of the syringe firmly in one hand and push
up the cap with the thumb along the length of the cap until the cap clicks off. Take care
not to contaminate the nozzle. Do not bend the nozzle.
Insert the nozzle into the teat canal and infuse the contents of one syringe.
Holding the end of the teat with one hand, gently massage upwards with the other
hand to aid dispersion of the antibiotic into the quarter.
The intramammary syringe must only be used once.
After treatment, it is recommended to dip the teats in an appropriate disinfectant
solution.

Do not administer to animals which are known to be hypersensitive to cephalosporins,
other beta-lactam antibiotics or to any of the excipients.
Do not use in animals suffering from severe renal disease.
Do not use in cows with clinical mastitis.
Please refer also to section 3.7.

Cattle (Dairy cow at drying-off):
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Allergic reaction
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.

None.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
In animals suffering from renal impairment use only following a benefit/risk
assessment performed by the responsible veterinarian.
Use of the veterinary medicinal product should be based on susceptibility testing of the
bacteria isolated from the animal. If this is not possible, therapy should be based on
local (regional, farm level) epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target
bacteria. Use of the veterinary medicinal product deviating from the instructions given
in the SPC may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to cefapirin and may
decrease the effectiveness of treatment. Official, national and regional antimicrobial
policies should be taken into account when the product is used.
The efficacy of the veterinary medicinal product is only established against the
pathogens mentioned in Section 3.2. Consequently, serious acute mastitis (potentially
fatal) due to other pathogen species, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can occur
after drying off. Good hygienic practices should be thoroughly respected in order to
reduce this risk.
Do not use the cleaning towel if lesions are present on the teat.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Penicillins and cephalosporins may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following injection,
inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Hypersensitivity to penicillin may lead to cross
sensitivity to cephalosporins and vice versa. Allergic reactions to these substances
may occasionally be serious.
People with known hypersensitivity to penicillins or cephalosporins should avoid
contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
If you develop symptoms following exposure, such as a skin rash, you should seek
medical advice and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Swelling of
the face, lips or eyes or difficulty breathing are more serious symptoms and require
urgent medical attention.
Wash hands after using the cleaning towels. People with known hypersensitivity to
isopropyl alcohol should avoid direct contact with the cleaning towels. Avoid eye
contact since Isopropyl alcohol may cause eye irritation.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Simultaneous parenteral administration of nephrotoxic substances (e.g.
aminoglycoside and polypeptide antibiotics) may prolong excretion of cefapirin.
Concomitant use of cephalosporins and nephrotoxic drugs may increase renal toxicity.
Cephalosporins should not be administered concurrently with bacteriostatic
antimicrobials.

Do not store above 25 C. Protect from light.

Milk: 24 hours after calving if the interval between treatment and calving is 32 days or
longer.
33 days after treatment if the interval between treatment and calving is less
than 32 days.
Meat and offal: 14 days
The udder of treated cows must not be used for human consumption during the dry
period and the following lactation period.
4.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.